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Luxor Unveils Two New Statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III

Luxor in Egypt has two new statues to add to its collection of historic sites as archaeologists unveil two statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The monoliths have been raised at what experts believe were their original sites in the funerary temple of the king, on the west bank of the Nile which is famous for its existing twin statues of Amenhotep III.

Two “new” statues have been unveiled by archaeologists at the Amenhotep III temple in Egypt.

Two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III have been discovered on the famous ancient site in Luxor which is already home to the 3400-year-old Memnon colossi - twin statues of Amenhotep III that are famous all over the world.

European and Egyptian archaeologists said that the statues were raised at their original sites in the funerary temple of the king, on the west bank of the Nile.

“The world until now knew two Memnon colossi, but from today it will know four colossi of Amenhotep III," explained Hourig Sourouzian, a German-Armenian archaeologist who leads the project to conserve the Amenhotep III temple.

The two monoliths in red quartzite have weathered severe damage for many centuries but they have carefully been restored by experts.

"The statues had lain in pieces for centuries in the fields, damaged by destructive forces of nature like earthquake, and later by irrigation water, salt, encroachment and vandalism," added Sourouzian.

"This beautiful temple still has enough for us to study and conserve."

One of the newly discovered statues is 11.5 metres tall, weighs 250 tonnes and shows the pharaoh seated with his hands on his knees. Experts say that in its original state with its now missing crown, the original statue would have weight 450 tonnes and been 13.5 metres tall.

Luxor is an ancient city in Egypt that is bursting with historic sites such as the Valley of the Kings, the temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak, Medinet Habu, the Tombs of the Nobles, and the Ramesseum Temple.

The East and West Banks of the city are divided by the famous River Nile and tourists can enjoy boat trips across the river or go shopping in the markets that are located on the streets leading up to the Temple of Luxor.

The discovery of the new statues will bring a welcome boost to tourism in Luxor and Egypt, following the country’s recent upheaval and political unrest.